2023 Audi Q5 vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, characterized by subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. Despite the typical reservations about coupelike styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from the hatch to the upright tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a nod to traditional design amidst a trend of larger screens, and while materials were of good quality, the Q5 no longer felt as special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged alternative to the CX-5, with a design that was both fresh and robust. It was lower, wider, and longer than the CX-5, with a stretched wheelbase and emphasized proportions through square wheel arches and faux air vents. Available in eight trim levels, the CX-50 offered a variety of features, with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition enhancing its active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires and distinctive styling elements. The interior was pleasing, with a BMW-like infotainment screen and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, Mazda's aspiration to move upscale was still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats in base models. The CX-50's interior design was sensible, with adequate storage space and a rotary infotainment controller, though it lacked the upscale feel Mazda aimed for.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices, starting with the base 40 TFSI, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI plug-in hybrid delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of 23 miles. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery due to the transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, the power was adequate, and the handling was sporty, with precise steering and a balance between compliance and cornering. The cabin remained quiet, with well-managed road and wind noise.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane gasoline, and 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard, along with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. Turbo models also included a Towing mode, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered a different driving experience, focusing more on daily driving than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires limited grip and increased noise, with additional wind noise from the roof platform. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-50 was well-mannered, making it a good choice for those not seeking a sporty drive.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018, but it continued to be functional and well-organized. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned atop the dash for easy visibility, with traditional dials and buttons for climate controls. Outward visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar, and the rear view was better than average. The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably. Storage options were varied, though some were oddly sized, and the wireless phone charger was on a sliding tray covering the cupholders. Cargo space was 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback, which was competitive within its class.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom in both rows. It compared well in legroom to rivals like the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V, with two inches more rear-seat legroom than the Toyota RAV4. Cargo space was 31.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, slightly less than the CX-5 but more than some competitors. The power liftgate eased cargo access, but the area wasn't ideal for dirty or bulky items. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage and a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the center console, maintaining functionality without sacrificing space.

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system was standard on higher trims. The on-screen buttons were large and easy to read, though Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning available through a limited-time subscription to Audi Connect Care, which also included a Wi-Fi hotspot. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto required a cable, with dual front and rear USB ports provided. Higher trims included wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The touchscreen-free interface required adjustment but offered physical feedback, making it easier to use without taking eyes off the road. The infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, appealing to those not seeking excessive tech.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ with "Good" scores in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The top Prestige trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" score for front-crash prevention in the vehicle-to-pedestrian daytime test. It received a "Basic" score for the nighttime test and "Average" for standard headlights. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model were incomplete, with a five-star frontal crash-test rating and four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.